VERY late catch up...

Here I am again, saying I'm sorry for not keeping things updated.  But as you know from the last update, we have a bit going on.  So, what I will do is to simply attach the emails I had sent out from that point on, at least to the best to my knowledge.  We've really been going in circles trying to arrange things and still keep things moving in Haiti.  So, that said, here's the first update...  (sorry this is so long...)
  

First, I want to thank everyone for the responses and prayers from my last update!  Wow, and I KNOW without a doubt that the Lord heard all of those prayers!!

From the start of October....

 

I went through 3 appointments and some testing and met with the doctor yesterday.  I will be having minor outpatient surgery on Friday.  They will take a biopsy at that time.  The doctor said with the results from the tests, it is probably less than 3% chance of cancer.  And he told me I could head back home as soon as I wanted.  YEAH!!!

PRAYERS DO WORK, and GOD ANSWERS!!!!

But I also know many have had questions about the earthquakes in Haiti.  Well, Don called right after the first one.  They definitely felt it, since it was 5.9 shaking.  And it wasn’t that far from Cap Haitian. We did end up with a crack in our living room wall, well I guess it went around the corner and caused cracks there too. The second quake at 5.3 was felt also, but didn’t cause any more damage to our buildings, I guess.  Then the third one at 4.2 occurred in the middle of night, and Don didn’t feel it, since he was sleeping.  But there was a lot of damage and many, many hurt, and some deaths through all of these quakes.  So please keep the people of Haiti in prayer as they struggle to come back from this hard time.

I’m also asking for prayers for Don as he is facing major problems with both of our trucks.  The Dihatsu (big dump truck) needs a battery and updating the license.  The Toyota has a major problem which would require taking the steering wheel off and repairing something in there.  So we are facing no vehicles until something can be done with them.  

This is short, but asking for prayers for all of the following:

• Negative result on the cancer test
• For the people of Haiti as a whole, as they recover from the quakes
• For Don ~ wisdom and finances for our vehicles
• For my flight from Wisconsin to Florida on the 18^th
• For my flight from Florida to Haiti on the 23^rd
• For our ministry, that the Lord will give wisdom and guidance in all things

Thank you and rejoice with us in all the Lord has already done for us!!!  HE REALLY IS AWESOME!!!  Keep praying!

And then the end of October.....

I have put off sending an update once I came home for a couple of reasons. So I guess I should start with the main reason.  While in the states this last time, I went through several tests.  Had the results from one, and with doctors advice, went for a second opinion.  Today received the results from that.  The second one came back the same.  I have cancer.  But the doctor said he really feels it is contained, and should just require a hysterectomy. They will probably check lymph nodes as well, which is understandable.  

Now, how do I feel about all of this?  I have total peace.  I know without a doubt that I am in the Lord’s Hands, no matter what.  Whatever lies ahead, I know the Lord will be with me and walk with me through it.  Do I have any fear?  No, I really do not.  God has given me total peace and I am resting in that.  

Do I have any concerns?  Yes, but not for me.  This will be difficult for Don and our children.  I pray they will seek the same peace I have.  But I also know this will be a huge financial strain for us.  But again, I know the Lord is here for us, and He’ll find a way through all of this. 

We have not had the time to make any plans at this point.  The doctor said when we decide when to come, he will make the arrangements to fit that.  So, right now we are simply “up in the air” as to what the next week or so will be.  

So, I have some prayer requests for you all….

Pray for Don and our kids, for peace and calm

Pray for Vero and Abbie, this will be difficult while we are gone

Pray for the plans that must be made

God’s Hand in everything

For the cancer to be contained and all removed

For all plans to go smoothly and quickly

For things here in Haiti to go according to His plans

While I make this trip to the US, yet again, I’m going to miss my 5 little orphans from IDADEE.  They have kept in touch with Vero and said they are praying I am okay and they miss me.  Sweet kiddos. 

We have been having much needed rains in the evenings.  Praying that it will help the farmers here.  The Lord knows what He is doing…with prices rising, farmers need their crops more than ever now.  

Don had both vehicles working, but the Toyota is back to it’s original problem, and that means taking the whole steering column apart, which will have to wait until we return.  So pray for peace for Don in that situation.  

Vero is now in Bible School, 5 evenings a week.  Pray for her since she is still doing all her other work as well.  I’m a bit concerned she will overdo and wear herself out, since she is already busy 7 days a week with ministry.  

Well, I’d better close for now and get some work done here.  Thank you for your prayers and remember, KEEP SMILING AND PRAYING ~ JESUS IS WORKING ALL THINGS OUT!!!!!!!!!

And how, my update as of today, December 1st, 2018.....

To begin, Don and I made the trip out.  I had told the doctors office when our flight would be and when we'd arrive in Wisconsin.  My first appointment was the day after we arrived.  I met with my surgeon, he is a gynecologic oncologist.  Don and Christine went with me for that appointment.  After the exam, they both came in and met the doctor.  I have complete confidence in him.  He was very open, and very detailed in explaining things.  But he also agreed with the other doctors that it is contained and will be an easy operation.  It will be outpatient, and I will be going right home to Christine's house.  Then I have to wait 3 weeks for a return visit.  But he said he is sure I will be able to head back to Haiti right after that.  

I have to share with you, that everyone I had talked to through all of this, I had asked, "WHEN CAN I GET HOME TO HAITI?"  So when I had asked the assistant with this last doctor, she just laughed and said, "Yup, we KNOW you want to get back home to Haiti.  It's written on your chart!"  So they are doing their best to help this happen.

We have kept in close contact with Vero in Haiti since we've been here.  The sad news was that Pastor Saintil, who we have worked with since the early 90's, passed away during the latest unrest in Haiti.  His funeral was today, and Vero and Abbie went early (at 9 AM)...they ended up standing outside on the road.  The church was packed and there were a whole lot of people outside.  Then they traveled to the cemetery.  When I talked to Abbie and Vero they said they got home at 5 PM.  Pastor Saintil helped with MFI at the airport with us.  He will be missed by many, many people.

One up side to my conversations with Abbie...she received her report card.  She has all A's, and only 2 B's.  We are so proud of her.  She seems to absorb learning and wants to do her best, and I believe she is accomplishing it.

Before we left, we had gotten the contents for 40 more buckets, filled them and had them ready to distribute.  Since we would be gone, Vero had the job of getting those out.  She did and then sent some photos of some of the people she had delivered the buckets to after we left.  There were some very, very happy people when they got those.

I want to thank all of you who have kept us lifted in prayer.  We know prayer works and it's so obvious.  The Lord has given us peace and calm through all of the situations we have faced, and we know, without a doubt, that He is in control and is with us.

The only thing I am not happy with is being here in the cold and snow.  But then I have to look at the bright side, the snow on the ground is so beautiful, and at least the temps are not below zero.  But I did hear it was even in the low 30's in Florida, so guess it's not all that bad here then.  We've been down to 7 degrees, but I simply stayed inside...solution to the cold!  The very up side is that we have been with some of our children for Thanksgiving and Christmas for the first time in 35 years.

November 12th was our 35th anniversary of serving the Lord in Haiti.  Wow, it just doesn't seem like that long.  But we are rejoicing in all He has done in us while being there. 

We want to send out best wishes as we are entering into the Christmas season.  The reason Jesus came was for OUR benefit and we are praising Him and rejoicing that He gave us the opportunity to be with Him for eternity.  Let your Christmas season reflect the wonder of how much the Lord loved us, since He sent His ONLY SON, for our benefit.  He came as a babe to grow into a teacher and guide, then He suffered and died IN OUR PLACE, but arose again so that we can spend eternity with Him!!  TOTALLY AWESOME!!!!

Again, I remind you of 1 Thess. 5: 16-18...

^"16Rejoice always, ¹⁷pray continually, ¹⁸give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

Blessing beyond measure to you and your family!!  

Home and working

Greetings,

I’m back.  We’ve been watching the hurricanes in the Atlantic and have been tracking the paths.  No, at this point, we don’t think we’ll be hit.  But the course of all them seem to change quite a bit, all the time.  Actually, we have no fear.  It would not change the course of these storms.  We prepare, in case, but that is what anyone in or near these storms should be doing.  The storm to the north of us is headed toward the US, specifically the Carolina’s.  We have family and close friends in both of those states, so are praying for them and the situation.  The storm south of us may, according to predictions turn and hit part of Haiti.  So, we are praying for those of us here that could be affected.  For wisdom and strength, as for those in the north. Pray with us on these, please.

Back to our return and the trip to get here.  Again, it was hard to leave family and friends in Wisconsin.  But we knew we were headed back to where the Lord has placed us. In thinking of that, one of my devotionals for Monday was on “Where My Heart Belongs”.  We call Haiti home, and it is.  It referred to Eph. 2: 19-22.  And ended with, “God, help me to remember that I live my life on earth, but I belong in heaven. Amen.”  That made me smile, because heaven is where we will be with family and friends, together!!  Great thought, when we feel lonesome for family.

We were able to spend 1 week in Fort Pierce.  We stayed with our good friend, Belle.  Her husband, Paul, was in Haiti, so it was just us and Belle.  I treasure special times spent with her.  She is my closest prayer partner and a part of the intercessory prayer team.  Belle and I were able to make a quick trip to see my sister-in-law, Bev.  It was only for a day, but we really enjoyed our time with her.  Special family and friends together.  We also spent time that week getting things needed to take back to Haiti with us.  And during that week we were able to spend some fantastic time in Sunday school and church with wonderful teachers.  Love the input from that time!!

Somehow on the return flight from Wisconsin and the two stops before West Palm, I had either pulled a muscle or tendon in my knee.  No idea how or why.  But ended up using a cane a good friends supplied. (thanks Bud & Jeanette).  Our first week back in Haiti was a whirlwind.  Trying to get settled back in and catch up on 2 months of mail, cargo and some bills for here at home proved to be exhausting.  But it was accomplished.  

Saying we are back in the swing of things is a little short of what we’ve been doing.  The first week back I didn’t go to the airport…trying to let the knee heal up.  It has pretty much done that now.  But it also allowed time to do that catch-up business.  Don was kept busy in the garage trying to sort of get things in order there.  And now our Diahatsu truck is having major problems, so he’ll be spending some quality time on that.   

In the midst of our whirlwind, we were really blessed.  One of our former puppeteers, who now lives in Chicago, came for a visit.  What a joy to see and spend time with Emmaul.  He was our “go-fer” kid for years here and we consider him one of our own.

 I took on a new ministry this last weekend.  The Lord has really impressed me to help the children at the IDADEE orphanage learn some English.  I set out to do that.  Last Saturday morning Vero brought 5 of the kids here, for class.  I was under the assumption they knew no English, so had set up some basic words for them. These kids the committee picked are a trip.  They are so cute and so willing to learn.  But the first 8 things I started with THEY KNEW.  I said, “Wait, why am I teaching you when you already know English?”  One of the girls who works at IDADEE had started with them with a booklet which contained English, Creole and French.  The exact book I was using.   So, I quickly changed course that first day.  One of the booklets we put into the buckets we do is a coloring book for children on salvation.  With Abbie’s help (bless her willingness to assist me!) we started with that.  It’s a “Kolore M Konta” (Color me happy) coloring book.  So, we did the first three pages in that, with words and scriptures.  The kids really did enjoy that.  So, for now, that will be my text book for them.  We did a lot of laughing and having fun.  Two of the kids told Vero, “We really like this English class.”  I told Vero it was because I gave them Kool-aid and let them take a break and play with a huge ball.  But it was a success and we all had fun.  So, my new mission begins, along with all the others I have going.  

 

 From the left, up and around....Claude, Karen, Abbie, Walkenson, Ruth, Emmanuela and Dieulene. 

Yesterday, 9-11, MFI came in with a HUGE load of cargo.  We had 4,898 pounds of cargo to unload and distribute.  Toward the end, American airlines came in, so we were put off to the side, again.  And had to wait until they were all done, and then finish.  It was a long, hard day, but we made it.  Keep MFI in prayer.  Lots going on there and they can always use the help.  Check them out at www.MissionaryFlights.org.  You’ll enjoy seeing all they are doing for those of us on the field.

Through the rush and bustle we have been in, I keep coming back to the song, “Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”.  That really is what we are doing and must keep doing.  We look forward to the return of the Jesus, but until that time, we must keep doing what He directs, and praising Him in and through it all!!!  And I keep coming back to Psalms for the help.  Psalm 8: 1 “Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory in the heavens.”  And Psalm 9: 1 & 2 “I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart.  I will tell of all your wonderful deeds.  I will be glad and rejoice in you: I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High.”  In those very hard and troublesome times we need to hang onto these verses.  

I pray your are walking the road with the Lord.  I pray He is guiding and directing you, as well.  In closing, please keep Haiti and the east coast of the US in prayer through these storms.  Keep us in prayer that will we continue to walk in His way and do His calling in the way to bring glory to Him.